Intake manifold sealant repair now leaking maybe oil? coolant b4

I had intake manifold removed so thermostat replaced, bolts broke as housing reattached. Sealant used on top of housing (manifold) to cover/seal any future leak from housing damage. Now leak from housing feels like oil, not coolant. Could it be?

You need to remove the thermostat housing again. Then you will have to extract the bolts you broke off. You will need to drill and tap them so you can use an easy out to remove the broken bolts from the threads. Then you can clean up both mating surfaces and replace the gasket and the thermostat. Check to make sure you did not crack the thermostat housing or you may have another leak when finished. They are usually aluminum and break easily if too much pressure is applied or they are corroded and weak.

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Related Questions:

NOTE: When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® (orange colored, silicate free) coolant meeting GM specifications. On these vehicles, if silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 30,000 miles or 24 months.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Properly drain and recover the coolant until the level is below the thermostat.

Unfasten the coolant outlet-to-inlet manifold attaching bolt and nut, then remove the outlet.

Remove the thermostat. Clean the inlet manifold and outlet mating surfaces.
To install:

Install a new O-ring onto the thermostat

Place the thermostat in the inlet manifold.

Attach the coolant outlet to the inlet manifold, using the bolt and nut. Tighten to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).

Refill the engine cooling system.

Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine and check for coolant leaks.

2.3L and 2.4L Engines NOTE: When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® (orange colored, silicate free) coolant meeting GM specifications. On these vehicles, if silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 30,000 miles or 24 months.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Properly drain and recover the coolant to a level below the thermostat.

Unfasten the cover-to-outlet pipe bolt, which is accessible through the exhaust manifold runners.

You will need a few things to do this job. Lets start with the auto parts store- new thermostat(make sure it comes with the gasket), gasket sealant, coolant, (if your hose are 3 years or more)new hoses, hose clamps. now for the tools, scraper, ratchet, extension, and metric sockets, flat tip screw driver, and maybe pliers. got it, good, lets start. follow the top hose to the cap( or thermostat housing cover), on the air intake, and remove the hose. now on the cap, you will see 2 bolts(one on each side), remove the bolts and save the bolts. gently pry up the cap, and scrape it clean(to the metal), removing the old gasket, and gasket sealant. now remove the old thermostat, and clean that also(down to metal also) to remove the gasket and sealant. apply gasket sealant and install the new thermostat. place new gasket, and apply gasket sealant to the cap. replace the cap, and bolt back down(do not over tighten, the cap will break) reconnect the hose. allow 30 minutes to allow the sealant to set up. start the car and let it warm up. check for leaks. no leaks, great. allow to cool, and replace any coolant needed. Hope this helps

Mr. Lakewood,
The thermostat is in the housing at the end of the top radiator hose where it connects to the engine manifold. The thermostat housing is clamped onto the hose and is bolted to the engine manifold by two bolts.
1. Drain enough coolant from the cooling system to a level below the height of the thermostat housing.
2. Remove the two bolts and separate the housing from the manifold.
3. Remove the thermostat from the engine. You may have to pry it out if it is stuck. (Don't be alarmed if there is no thermostat. Some mechanics remove them for troubleshooting).
4. Scrape off the old gasket and sealant from the housing and the manifold.
5. Install new thermostat, pointy side towards radiator.
6. Use Permatex #2 (non-hardening sealant) on both sides of the new gasket and bolt down the housing.
7. Replenish cooling system.
8. Start engine, allow to warm up and check for leaks.
9 *done*

The Permatex #2 gasket sealant ($4 AutoZone) is in a small tube. One small tube is more than enough.

Locate the thermostat. The thermostat is in a metal housing at the end of the radiator hose where it connects to the engine.

Drain enough coolant to make the water level below the the thermostat level so that the coolant doesn't spill everywhere...

Remove the thermostat:
The housing is held down by two bolts.Remove the bolts, remove the thermostat and scrape the gasket and sealant from the housing and the manifold.

When replacing, use Permatex #2 - non-hardening gasket sealant.

Replenish the radiator with 50/50 coolant/water mixture (re-use what you took out; don't pour down drain or on grass - kills vegetation).

Remove radiator cap and let engine warm up (look for leaks) to allow trapped air in the cooling system to escape.
Note: there may be some burping valves near the thermostat. If obvious, open them to allow air to escape.

The thermostat is located in the thermostat housing, which is mounted to the coolant crossover tube. The bypass hose is connected to the thermostat water inlet on one end, and to the intake manifold water outlet on the other. The thermostat is not located in the intake manifold water outlet, where the upper radiator hose is connected.

Drain the radiator and recycle the engine coolant.

Remove the upper radiator hose bracket bolt and remove the bracket.

On 1993-98 3.0L engine models:

Remove the bolt from the A/C high pressure line bracket at the front of the engine.

Remove the two A/C accumulator/drier bracket bolts.

Position the accumulator/drier and A/C line out of the way.

Remove the bypass hose clamp and remove the hose from the water inlet.